Activities For Small Dogs That Like Water

Not everyone has easy access to natural bodies of water, leaving pools to be the next best thing. But while larger dogs have the muscle and size to easily climb in and out of the pool at will, smaller dogs sometimes face pools with edges too tall to climb out of or without stairs, aka easy access. To combat this, there's one simple solution: a low-profile foam floating raft. It will allow them to swim to all parts of the pool easily, and climb out when they get tired or just want to lounge. In fact, they don't have to swim at all to stay close to you or interact with you in the new setting - they can just float. By contrast, inflatable rafts not only generally have taller sides, but also run the risk of being punctured. Foam rafts, on the other hand, need little thickness to float, making them easy to climb on, and only suffer minimal nail damage, and even when they do, won't sink because of it. Plus, foam rafts are just as moderately-priced, accessible for most small dogs, gives them the choice to float, swim, or both, and can be done for any length of time.

Not all dogs are cut out for swimming. In fact, some will never venture close enough or deep enough to justify a doggy-paddle. But that doesn't mean they can't enjoy water altogether, which is where the kiddie pool (or makeshift kiddie pool) comes in. Most kiddie pools are relatively cheap, you can easily fill and empty them to a depth comfortable for your dog, they're easy to get in and out of, you can spend minutes or hours playing in them and better yet, they're durable and reusable. And if you don't own one or can't easily buy one, you can always make one with some basic materials.

While many larger dogs can be quick to jump in and swim in nearly any body of water, confidence and interest willing, smaller dogs don't usually possess the muscle or endurance for long bouts of swimming. But just because they can't doggy-paddle for hours on end, doesn't mean they can't find adventure in a more comfortable setting. Canoeing fits this need in great capacity for several reasons. First, small dogs have a far lower chance of tipping and flipping the boat (although if it's big enough, most larger canoes can handle even the biggest dogs). Second, they still get the joy of new surroundings with minimal effort, all while working on their balance, comfort, and confidence. It is ideal for nicer days for obvious reasons, but is also relatively cheap (depending on if you own or rent), not exceptionally hard to do for you or them, and can last for as long or short as you want it to. Plus, it can help you find new shallows for them to swim or splash in!